Liverpool may have recently completed a two-year loan deal for Atletico Madrid right-back Javier Manquillo, but that did not stop Gary Lineker joking that the Reds might bid £10million for Nathaniel Clyne.

The comment was posted on Twitter shortly after the Saints man scored an outstanding equaliser to rule out Raheem Sterling's opener. And while it was obviously said in jest, the fact is Clyne has developed into an impressive full-back whose continued presence at Southampton can only be good for the club.

Much has been said about the players who left St Mary's this summer, but Ronald Koeman's men showed they will be absolutely fine this season with a great performance despite slipping to a defeat.

The man who consigned them to that loss was Daniel Sturridge, who Lineker praised following yet another match-winning contribution.

The Match of the Day host had earlier hailed Liverpool's young England stars Sterling and Jordan Henderson for their roles in the opener. But he reserved special praise for Sturridge, saying, "Natural born goalscorer. Can't be taught. He just gets it!"

He certainly does, and as long as he keeps netting for Rodgers' side a certain Luis Suarez may not be missed half as much as many have suggested.

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. Shortly after, in a somewhat leftfield move, he began working at a secondary school in Kent.

After eight years – the last four of which were spent as Head of Sixth Form – he began to write full-time, combining his love of football with his passion for the written word.

Alongside his work for HITC Sport, he also writes film reviews for HITC Lifestyle… along with the odd music interview when fate allows.